Rosie O’Donnell Impresses as Jimmy Kimmel Live Guest Host, Critiques Trump and Honors Hayden Panettiere

When Jimmy Kimmel announced Rosie O’Donnell as a week-long guest host for “Jimmy Kimmel Live” during his vacation, he framed it as a “special treat” for Donald Trump, who has long clashed with O’Donnell over her past mockery of his bankruptcies on “The View” in 2006.

O’Donnell, who accepted the offer despite her adversarial relationship with Kimmel and never having been asked as a guest before, cited her support for Kimmel’s advocacy of free speech and the First Amendment. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting she felt indebted to Kimmel for his stance during efforts to cancel his late-night show.

During her debut, O’Donnell made a strong impression, wearing a vibrant pink suit with floral accents and drawing enthusiastic applause. She quipped, “If you thought President Trump hated ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ under Jimmy Kimmel? Buckle up, people!” Her monologue included playful jabs at Trump, referencing his nickname “Mango Mussolini” and joking about relocating to Ireland to escape his policies.

O’Donnell’s performance was marked by her rapport with guests, including “Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham, who expressed disbelief at meeting her, and “Schmigadoon!”’s Ana Gasteyer. She also shared anecdotes about her time in Ireland, highlighting the warmth of strangers compared to New York City and her romantic attempts with a pharmacist.

The segment concluded with O’Donnell delivering a poignant tribute to the late Hayden Panettiere, who had passed away at 36. O’Donnell, who had hosted Panettiere on her show as a child and later as an adult, emphasized Panettiere’s courage in addressing mental health and her enduring impact. “She will be missed. Godspeed, Hayden,” she said.

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